Bright Red 97 XJ Build
#137
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Still need to drill out for the RE adj. Track bar, install it/ straighten the axle as much as I can, and torque everything down, which is a pain in the *** when the torque wrench is a medium-sized 1/2" trying to fit with no space to torque over 100 ft/lbs for the rear suspension. LCAs will be a nightmare with their position and being 130 ft/lbs lol
#138
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Adj. track bar is ready to be installed tomorrow as well as an alignment and bumper install. Just about done painting the bumper. I like how I have the only all flame red Country trim around me so I'm painting the bumper red to match. All the bracketry is black. The winch plate is black as well to add contrast (Contrast? What the hell am I talking about I'm not an artist) my unused license plate bracket was black on the red bumper so that's my argument lol.
#139
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 484
Likes: 1
From: Oak Lawn, Illinois
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Liking the fact that you color matched the bumper. My 99 classic was all red trim, but I ended up removing stock bumpers/flares/trim and blacked stuff out. Not many people leave it all the same color.
#140
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Thanks, I was originally going to do it black and end with a two tone after getting fenders and a rear bumper and such, but I thought it'd look odd being the only black part on the vehicle for now. Having it still all 1 color grew on me.
#141
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Nice man! Turned out real nice!
With it lifted up, it's not actually all that bad to torque the rear suspension. I could see the LCA's being a little bit of a pain.
Are you installing a tcase drop, or a SYE. I'm at 3.5" with a RE tcase drop, and it's still not right. Not bad actually, just not perfect. I'm going to take measurements tonight, and order an advance adapters SYE and tom woods DS. If you have the cash, do it sooner than later.
With it lifted up, it's not actually all that bad to torque the rear suspension. I could see the LCA's being a little bit of a pain.
Are you installing a tcase drop, or a SYE. I'm at 3.5" with a RE tcase drop, and it's still not right. Not bad actually, just not perfect. I'm going to take measurements tonight, and order an advance adapters SYE and tom woods DS. If you have the cash, do it sooner than later.
#142
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Nice man! Turned out real nice!
With it lifted up, it's not actually all that bad to torque the rear suspension. I could see the LCA's being a little bit of a pain.
Are you installing a tcase drop, or a SYE. I'm at 3.5" with a RE tcase drop, and it's still not right. Not bad actually, just not perfect. I'm going to take measurements tonight, and order an advance adapters SYE and tom woods DS. If you have the cash, do it sooner than later.
With it lifted up, it's not actually all that bad to torque the rear suspension. I could see the LCA's being a little bit of a pain.
Are you installing a tcase drop, or a SYE. I'm at 3.5" with a RE tcase drop, and it's still not right. Not bad actually, just not perfect. I'm going to take measurements tonight, and order an advance adapters SYE and tom woods DS. If you have the cash, do it sooner than later.
I'm looking into a custome driveshaft being made at a place not too far, it should hopefully get rid of any vibes or anything for around the price of an sye kit, if not or too expensive I'll get the SYE. Haven't driven it yet so we'll see, hopefully I'll get it aligned today so I can!
#143
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Also can't get over the fact of how tall the thing is. I was so used to it being pretty much crossover sized because of the saggy suspension. I'm only 5'8", 5'9" on a good day lol.
#146
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Took it out for it's maiden voyage to get the alignment (which didn't happen due to taking too long to bleed the brakes) and paid attention to the new things. I sit high as hell! Like, whoa. I rub the very back edge of the front fender at full lock, didn't have the front bumper on so it was extra loud. Some vibes at very low speeds (5-10mph) didn't go over 35mph I don't think and only drove for maybe 10min total. It rides stiff as hell, I know it'll break in, I'll have to get use to it. Steering wheel was upside down the whole time lol. Couldn't grease all my steering and LCAs cause the grease gun broke so the steering shook and wouldn't stay straight (lack of alignment too). Takes longer to stop obviously cause of the larger tires. New tie rods fixed my shakes when breaking so that's good.
Passenger side
Driver side
Passenger side
Driver side
Also started to assemble the bumper
Passenger side
Driver side
Passenger side
Driver side
Also started to assemble the bumper
#147
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Lol! Same here! I had the same feeling. Once you get everything sorted out, after a week or two of driving, you won't even realize it. I'm sitting at the same amount of lift (31's though), and when I'm driving I almost forget I'm in a lifted Jeep anymore.
#149
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
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From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Thanks! Getting the front end aligned and greased right now. Sterring wheel is upside down so we'll see how that goes. After that I won't be afraid of driving it lol. Next will be the trim the front fenders or just take them off, and then try and mount the bumper.
#150
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 931
Likes: 0
From: Glen Ellyn, IL
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
Alignment went good. Was only off by .01% for most of it, pretty proud of that, except that the steering wheel was upside down lol. Need to trim the plastic covering and alittle off the back of the front flares. My extended braided front brake lines came today too. I think they're Rough Country (didn't order them so I'm not sure). And I finally got my winch bumper on! Only took 8 hours, why would my Jeep make anything easy right? I think I finally found a name for it too. I'll post better pics in the morning.